First Steps Nursery

In February 2022, First Steps Nursery occupied purpose-built premises within the Conquest Hospital grounds, giving it a clear hospital connection. In February 2022, it catered for children whose parents worked for the NHS Trust. At its 25 February 2022 inspection, Ofsted judged the provision Good overall, with strengths in children's relationships and learning alongside improvements needed in noise control and activity planning.

The current age range is four months to five years. This is a review of inspection-era nursery life: the practical opening pattern is Monday to Friday, 6.45am to 6pm, throughout the year except bank holidays.

In February 2022, children explored a purpose-built building in the hospital grounds, choosing activities and gaining confidence in their surroundings. Older children talked readily about their experiences and understood the sequence of daily routines. Those details give a useful picture of a day in which children had choices and knew what came next.

The early years foundation stage sets the framework for children's learning, development and care. Here, the February 2022 activities drew on children's interests, including play with blocks and activities connected to a book. Children had also explored Chinese New Year through learning about customs and celebrations.

The youngest children's listening environment needed attention. In February 2022, loud rooms and background music sometimes made staff difficult to hear. Activity planning also needed sharper attention to age and ability: a book-related task engaged older children but proved too complicated for some toddlers. These are separate considerations, affecting both access to conversation and participation in learning.

At the February 2022 inspection, Ofsted found safeguarding effective and SEND arrangements effective, with staff working alongside families and speech and language therapists and using signs and visual cues for individual children.

In February 2022, staff helped children manage disagreements and practise sharing. A clock gave children a concrete way to understand when their turn would begin, making an abstract social expectation easier to follow. Parents received information about their child's day through conversations with staff.

Healthy eating featured in February 2022 discussions about snack-time fruit, and lunches took account of dietary needs. Fresh air and daily exercise also formed part of the routine.

The address is The Conquest Hospital, The Ridge, St. Leonards-on-Sea, TN37 7RD. Opening hours are 6.45am to 6pm on weekdays, with year-round operation and bank-holiday closures.

In February 2022, the nursery received funding for free early education for three- and four-year-olds. That historical funding position should be read separately from the current age range of four months to five years.

• Hospital connection. In February 2022, provision served children of NHS Trust staff. Who can enrol now?
• Listening conditions. High noise and background music affected younger children's access to staff speech in February 2022. A visit should concentrate on conversation and sound levels in the youngest children's spaces.
• Activities matched to age. February 2022 planning sometimes made tasks too complex for toddlers. Look for how activities are adapted so younger children can participate meaningfully.

First Steps merits consideration for families seeking care from infancy through preschool age, with weekday opening extending from early morning into the evening. Its February 2022 assessment supports confidence in care and relationships, while the listening environment and the suitability of activities for younger children deserve close attention. The hospital connection is central to the choice.